LeBleu's from Canada to Louisiana to Texas

Re: LeBleu's from Canada to Louisiana to Texas

Arsene LeBleu was one of the largest land and slave owners in Southwest Louisiana. The old home was a spacious cypress house, covered by plaster, and plastered inside with attractive murals on the smooth walls. Hospitality was the order of the day in those times, and with Arsen Lebleu, supplies and servants were plentiful and visitors were royally enertained. All groceries, sugar, flour and coffee were bought from Opelousa, Louisiana in ox wagons, and as for fresh meat, that was to be had in abundance at home. Jean Lafitte the pirate spent many delightful days at this home and a lasting friendship was formed by him and the Lebleu family. Arsene Lebleu was a Captian to Jean Lafitte, the pirate (Journal of Jean Lafitte pafe.42,43) "Part of the cargo in merchandise was unloaded at the mouth of the Calcasieu in care of Mr. Arsene Lebleu(pg.64) on Calcacieu Bayouth." It was to this home that Jean Lafitte came when the handsome rover of the sea made his visits to the Calcasieu country and anchored his ship off Shell Beach. He was welcomed by the Lebleu family and made his headquarters there,storing his treasures in a long cabin on the premisis which afforded simple protection for the goods.This house stood the wear and tear of years, but was finally destroyed by the hurricane of August 1918. Arsene Lebleu has two fathers. As confusing as that sounds it is true. Arsene was one of five living children of Barthelemy Blaise Lebleu of Arkansas and "Josette" Marie Josephe de Lamirande. Barthelemy was 37 years old when he married 19 year old Josette in Oct. 1769. He had not been married before. They were married eleven years before Barthelemy died in 1797 leaving his estate to his wife and children. Josette died eleven years later in 1808. now comes the strange part. About 1819 eleven years after Josette's death Martin Camersac who had never married died leaving a will. In this will he claims four of Barthelemy Lebleu's children; Arsene, Baptiste, Martin and Catherine as his natural children. he states he has no legitimate children and leaves his estate to these 4 children.

Family stories tell that Arsene LeBleu and his father-in-law FrancoisMilhomme had an argument over money. Arsene Lebleu, apparentlyhot-headed, decided to go to California during the Gold Rush to seek hisfortune. He left his wife with several young children, and made his wayto the gold fields of California. No one seems to know how he arrived atCalifornia, but it is thought he took an overland route. No letters havebeen handed down from him, and, if in fact he was illiterate, as shown bythe census of 1850, there would have been no letters from him.Apparently, he left not long after the census was taken, family storiessay that he was never heard from again until they learned of his death.He supposedly died in Sacremento, California on 17 October 1850.there is a burial record of a newspaper clipping of deathsthis death date was given byMaude Marie Rostett Ribbeck, a Lebleu descendant, supposedly from thefamily Bible.